What to Wear Now with Hudson Yards’ Style Director

This story originally appeared on Hudson Yards. 

Where does fashion go from here? I hear this a lot these days. As Hudson Yards’ new Style Director, I’ve been spending a lot of time at The Shops helping personal shopping clients get back their mojo. And it’s been so wonderful—going into stores again feels amazing. All the stores are so happy to be open, and there’s a real sense of community, with all the efforts to keep everyone safe. The sales associates really want to help shoppers look and feel great. Also, after months of shopping online, it’s thrilling to be able to go in stores and find new discoveries, like a pair of white Scanlan Theodore pants I never would have thought to try on if I saw them only on a screen.

That said, we can’t deny that something major happened to the world this year, and for some people the pandemic may have sealed their fate as a card-carrying member of the athletic-legging union. But we are New Yorkers. We are the land of Bill Cunningham and DVF and Iris Apfel and Elaine Welteroth. We are the city who brought you Studio 54 and CBGB’s and The Apollo Theater. We are people who get dressed and set the pace for the rest of the world. How’s that for a little fashion inspiration? Or this: I recently met with a client who had a second child right before the city shut down and is only just emerging from months of isolation. She’s starting a business and needed some help getting back to it—in three hours we got her a gorgeous and totally wearable wardrobe. She left to go to a doctor’s appointment and we messengered her packages home with plenty of time for her to get dressed to meet friends for drinks for the first time in about a year.

So it may look a little different right now, but the world is moving again and it’s time to step out of the apartment, put on your fanciest mask and rejoin the city that continues to set the cultural pace for the world.

Masks

 

Still essential so why not make them cute? We can’t really smile at one another in public, so I like to use masks to express my personality and bring some fun to our interactions. I tend to wear florals and bright colors but are also very comfortable. Men should feel free to incorporate colors and patterns too, although a basic black mask is a great accessory for every wardrobe.

Fleur Nouveau Mask by Kate Spade, Silver Mask by Mack Weldon, Face Mask by Madewell

Earrings

 

These were on-trend even before the pandemic, but more so now as another way to add personality either during a Zoom call or when you’re socially distancing outside. A great earring adds life and makes a statement, whether your style is sparkly or big hoops. This is an accessory worth an investment because the right ones bring attention to your face.

The Zoom Shirt

 

Because these days it's important to slay from the waist up. Again, I love color and pattern because they stand out well on a video call and can help you make an impression. We were seeing interesting shoulders before we went into quarantine and even more so now—they are professional with a bit of whimsy. The Scanlan Theodore sweater that I’m wearing in the photo above is an example of how I encourage people to dress—the pleated shoulder is a powerful work statement, but it’s a luxurious cashmere so it feels amazing. You can wear it at home or when you’re out and about, and for three seasons. For men, there’s no need to sit around in a suit while working from your couch so I suggest polished knits with interesting details—they read professional but relatable.

The Flowy Dress

 

This piece goes from WFH to outdoor drinks in style. Let’s face it, when you’ve been sitting at home behind a computer all week, putting on pants can feel daunting. Enter the flowy dress, which is as comfortable as a robe but looks super chic. Also, it’s one and done. Pair it with a cropped leather or denim jacket. Or I love it with a vest.

The Flat Boot

 

Our feet were the only ones happy about quarantine, truly! Women really lost their taste for high heels after so many days of comfortable shoes. It’s hard to train your feet back into those shapes, so I love the flat boot with a chunky sole. It’s a throwback to the nineties, which means it’s on-trend, but it’s also very functional. You can walk in them and be outside. And this style is always a winner for men.

 

This story originally appeared on Hudson Yards.